House Republicans Standing in the Way of Tax Cuts for Millions

It seems to me that House Republicans in Congress just don’t get it; they’re still being led by the nose by the Tea Party crowd. Don’t they realize that the American people are watching and we’re making a list and checking it twice; just like Santa? We know who’s been sleeping, we know who’s awake, and we also know who’s been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.

The U.S. Senate just passed a temporary, two-month extension to the payroll tax cut for 160 million Americans with an overwhelming majority; 89 senators voting in favor. Now the Senate Republicans might have signed on because they don’t want to be stuck in Washington for Christmas, or simply because they’re at least smart enough to realize that it’s political suicide for them to vote against such a popular measure. One thing they do know is that this is not something they want to fight over with Christmas right around the corner. So, voting in favor of just a two month extension, the debate can be taken up later, plus the fact that Obama agreed to reconsider the Canadian pipeline that Republicans have been pushing, meaning they can claim it as a victory.

Then it became time for the House of Representative to take up the legislation and it was expected by all involved, other than House Republicans that is, that it would pass without a hitch. Not true, because we failed to realize that the Tea Party still has a stranglehold on House Republicans with several of their newly elected members from a year ago, being members of that non-compromising group of so-called patriots. Their response was; quoting House Speaker John Boehner “How can you do tax policy for two months?” asked Speaker Boehner“I believe that two months is just kicking the can down the road. The American people are tired of that.”

Many Americans might agree with Boehner’s sentiments but it was only a few days earlier that he and his fellow Republicans didn’t support the payroll tax cut at all, so his claims that he now wants to bring together a joint Senate-House conference to work out differences between the two houses, seems rather odd and stinks of partisan politics.

It’s my opinion that this conference would have been just a way for House Republicans to push for another extension to the Bush tax cuts for millionaires which is completely unacceptable by the President, Democrats in Congress and most Americans. That’s not going to happen, because for it to happen, Obama and the Democrats would be putting themselves at risk of the American people’s ire, which just might encourage many of those who would otherwise support the president and the Democrats, to stay home when the November presidential elections roll around.

Not I of course, as I know what we would get instead; a Republican president and a Republican congress. And if we think things are bad now, just let that happen. If you think the super wealthy and big corporations are getting too many breaks now, just hand our government back into the hands entirely to the Republicans and then the ninety-nine percent can hang our hopes up on the fireplace next year for Christmas instead of our stockings because we’re unlikely to see our stockings filled with anything but more of the same of what we got during the Bush years.

We Democrats have compromised enough with Republicans and now it’s time for a change; like for instance, Republicans in the House of Representatives for once get their heads together to pass this temporary tax cut, along with an extension on unemployment benefits for those out of work, and without any more demands. Stop listening to the Grinch (Tea Party) whom would steal Christmas from 160 million Americans and stop taking us all for idiots who’ll believe anything we’re told.

Republicans, especially in the House of Representatives, led by Rep. John Boehner are a sad bunch who sees their dream of once more controlling our government, entirely flying out the window and they’re now desperately trying to pull the wool over our eyes so that we don’t see what’s going on here. We liberals are an intelligent bunch and that’s not going to happen. The new Tea Party is the “Occupy Wall Street” movement and we can count on that growing much stronger this next year as we close in on yet another election. So start packing your bags Republicans; you’ll be moving out soon. Oh, and by the way; Merry Christmas to you too!

I think it is a shame that we didn’t get the year at least but of course that doesn’t mean I would say no to two months or two weeks as long as we could bring it up again at that time. Making the process of extending the cuts cumbersome and annoying is not good but it’s better than no cuts at all.

You know the GOP is having a wonderful Christmas. Probably tucked up by the fireplace; in some Magical Mountain Reteat with a snifter of Napoleon, some soft slippers and a submissive poor person to rub their feet and whisper flatery in their ear as they plot the enslavement of the people with typical Grinch-like Glee.

Probably have one of those little, sad looking rat-dogs too (Not to be confused with Cat-Dog of cartoon fame) jumping around approvingly while they discuss how to crush the souls of all the little Who’s in Whoville (read that America).

We’ve stolen the Tree, the Gifts and the Beast,
But the Whos won’t relent; no not in the least.
We’ve taken their Candy; their Turkey and Duck.
We’ve robbed them so well that we’ve taken their Luck
But no matter the human indignity given
The Whos just won’t die; they demand to keep livin’.
But high in our Republican Lodge in the snow
Where only the most foolish of Whoville would go
We’ve hatched a new scheme; it’s the plan of the hour
We’ll replace Whoville’s baths with a Xyclon-B shower.

I hope you’re having a great Christmas. I’m staying home and playing silly video games. I work the next two nights but because of schedule, I’m off Christmas night. I’d just as well work as it’s holiday pay.
Still, I’ll buy some eggnog and maybe some rum to go with it and see if I can’t get myself a little buzz on. LOL!!

Well, the Republicans have caved and we’ll get our two months. Boehner tried to act as though they had reached some kind of satisfactory agreement to save face but he had to eat a little crow for Christmas, that’s for sure.

I’ll just be glad when all of this is over with.

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Now go prepare for Santa’s arrival and be sure to leave hims some cookies out by the fireplace, if you have one that is.

Categories

RSS Links to Fidlerten Place

We return you now to the stars, Leonard," fellow "Star Trek" cast member George Takei wrote on Facebook. "You taught us to 'Live long and prosper,' and you indeed did, friend," said Takei, recalling the trademark phrase uttered by Nimoy's character. Logically, the next thing to do is come past the break and go on […]

This week, your humble diarist was in country, and bore witness as the #LlamaDrama played out (on cable TV)—LIVE! Hoping to win a Peabody Award (or even a Polk Award), I got back in my limousine, and ordered my driver to take the highway to the danger zone. Unfortunately, thanks to Obamanet, we were soon caught up in the […]

This week in progressive state blogs is designed specifically to focus attention on the writing and analysis of people focused on their home turf. Let me know via comments or Kosmail if you have a favorite state- or city-based blog you think I should be watching. Inclusion of a diary does not necessarily indicate my […]

In a Washington Post op-ed, Sen. Elizabeth Warren explains one of the reasons working people should be really, really nervous about the Trans-Pacific Partnership the Obama administration is pushing: [Investor-State Dispute Settlement] would allow foreign companies to challenge U.S. laws — and potentially to pick up huge payouts from taxpayers — without ever stepping foot […]

A parade of potential Republican presidential candidates took turns at delivering speeches and answering questions at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference that started on Feb. 26. Along the way there were some distortions of facts.

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency told Congress her agency's proposed rules governing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants will not affect the reliability of electricity service. That's debatable.